This really is a great idea for a puzzle, truly educational! I'm glad other people have heard it, because I wasn't sure if it was true. I don't see a connection yet with the title of the puzzle, so it will be interesting to see if that emerges during the questioning. No real connection, just the title of a great song about pirates.

Alhucema (Alhucema)

So they would wear the patch alternatively on both eyes? At certain times, yes.

Would it work on land as well (as opposed ot the sea?) No. Are you sure it would not work on land in similar circumatances? Similar circumstances would not occur on land. It could be useful for the same reason on land, yes, but probably less often.

For the question:Would it work on land as well (as opposed ot the sea?) No.

The mechanism being employed is not dependant on being at sea rather than on land. It is simply that pirates would only use eyepatches for this purpose on the sea; there wouldn't be cause to use them (except under very unusual circumstances) on land.

Does it have something to do with the glare of the sun reflecting off the water?

Maybe (just a guess) they would cover one eye with a patch while looking at a bright spot of water to prevent the pupil in that eye from constricting? thereby ensuring that they could switch to that eye if they had to suddenly look at something in the shade?

Did only pirates do this? or more or less all sailors? was the eyepatch of thin cloth? so that it did not block vision completely but filtered out the very bright light? so it became easier to watch the horizon? and to locate the sun (when using a sextant)? Did they wear the eyepatch alternatively on both eyes? was the reason simply to protect the eyes from the sunlight? (I've heard once that before the invention of sunglasses many sailors eventually got blind just from being exposed to tropical sunlight for many years.)

Does it have something to do with the glare of the sun reflecting off the water? Not specifically.

Maybe (just a guess) they would cover one eye with a patch while looking at a bright spot of water to prevent the pupil in that eye from constricting? Not water specifically, but yes. thereby ensuring that they could switch to that eye if they had to suddenly look at something in the shade? Yes! And when would they do this?

Mimino (Mimino)

Did only pirates do this? I'm not sure. or more or less all sailors? For other sailors it wouldn't be such a necessity. was the eyepatch of thin cloth? No. so that it did not block vision completely but filtered out the very bright light? so it became easier to watch the horizon? and to locate the sun (when using a sextant)? No to rest.

Did they wear the eyepatch alternatively on both eyes? At times, yes. was the reason simply to protect the eyes from the sunlight? Yope.(I've heard once that before the invention of sunglasses many sailors eventually got blind just from being exposed to tropical sunlight for many years.)

So I'm assuming (this is usually a mistake in these things!) they use it to adjust between above and below deck by switching which eye it's on, it that correct?

Is it so they can see land? Navigate correctly? People? Enemies? Animals? Is it so they can shoot their guns with good aim? Shooting birds? Shooting at other pirates/people? Any other kind of attacking/pillaging!?

So I'm assuming (this is usually a mistake in these things!) they use it to adjust between above and below deck by switching which eye it's on, it that correct? Yes!

Is it so they can see land? Navigate correctly? People? Yes...Enemies? Animals? Is it so they can shoot their guns with good aim? Shooting birds? Shooting at other pirates/people? Any other kind of attacking/pillaging Definitely close enough for a spoilarrrr!!?

Arggggg, I guess I'll have to wait another day for me ansrrr's! Aye, I guess I was earrrrrly.

*********SPOILARRRRRR

Pirates would cover one eye so that that pupil would dilate completely, adjusting to low light. In other words, that eye would have perfect night vision. When attacking another ship, pirates would often have to go directly from the bright sunlight to the darkness below deck. While making this transition, they would switch which eye the eyepatch was on. This way, they didn't have to wait the full minute before their eyes adjusted to the dim light; if they did, someone could easily attack and kill them during this minute, when they would be practically blind.

Awesome puzzle, I always dig yours! And also, nice title with your other puzzle "paperback writer" starring "Paul", I thought that was a nice touch. Haha. Check out mine if you get a chance called "It's good to be back!" I have been away from the forum for a few years and it certainly is good to be back! =)